USF Football: 5 reasons why Quinton Flowers will win Heisman in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
5. Flowers will throw to a veteran group of familiar receivers
When Willie Taggart left for Oregon, he left behind a veteran roster behind for the new coaching staff. There should be little tapering off from last season, and the group could develop even further. Many of the players on the offense have worked together for two or more years now, heightening a sense of familiarity and camaraderie that is essential to any championship effort.
A big reason for confidence in Flowers’ ability to continue progressing as a passer is the fact that he gets to work with a familiar group of receivers. The one big loss from the 2016 roster, Rodney Adams, is mitigated by the return to the starting lineup of junior receiver Chris Barr. Barr started 12 games in the slot as a true freshman in 2015, but lost his job to Adams in 2016.
As a junior, he could burst out for a big season with Flowers targeting him regularly. So too could returning starters Marquez Valdes-Scanting and Tyre McCants, who are poised to break out with increased targets this year.
Flowers is familiar with all of these players, which will be a real boon for his overall numbers. He knows where best to throw to each player to target him open, and Flowers should adjust with little trouble to the running aspects of new coordinator Sterlin Gilbert’s offensive philosophy.